Overcoming newbie syndrome at the gym?

Wrenny · 07-05-2007, 07:12 AM

So after reading the pet peeve thread it made me think about this.

It takes a lot for someone to get up themselves and go to the gym alone. What advice would you give that person to not be embarassed and just go get a gym membership?

What should they do when they first start? What should they NOT do?

GSPALLTHEWAY · 07-05-2007, 07:45 AM

honestly i love going to the gym myself... some people need a partner, i find that if i go alone i work out instead of chat..... nothing wrong with going alone, at least i hope not, ive never thought about it like that! i say find a good chill gym and just start going and concentrating on your goals

Wrenny · 07-05-2007, 08:18 AM

So to make it easier, lets take me a few months ago. I read a lot on how to diet and what work outs to do but have no idea about any equipment. I went with friends to start but if I didn't have any friends do I just go there and talk to the trainers?

The trainers at my place are annoying to say the least. They have knowledge but the way they come off is more of a salesmen. Give some advice and then try to sell your skills.

Kaledonia · 07-05-2007, 09:05 AM

You can always ignore them, the trainers in some gyms, usually always council or pirvate ones, are people who have very basic training if any, or some college degree with no practical experiance who train the current trend/fad of exercises and not thinkin specifically of your own goal. My friend has a honours degree in sports science and I wouldnt listen to the fast majority of the ways he like me to train, not because I dont believe in what hes telling me, but because it has no benefits or works counter productive to what I need to acheive.

The only equipment you need to 'really' get familiarised with is a bench, dumbells and barbells. And thats not exactly rocket science, if your gym has no good selection of free weights, its already time to find another gym.

MTKrav911 · 07-05-2007, 10:42 AM

Kinda treat it like prison cause it sorta is. It's all territorial at gyms. This is what I'd do.

Find the biggest meanest buffest roid junkie you can find and sucker punch that fool. WHen he realizes he got smacked, grab a dumbell and blast him the the gut with it.

Then go around and stare at everyone and make it look like you're psycho.

You'll be welcomed in with open arms everyday after that!

But for real? Just be consistent. Gym rats like consistency.

GSPALLTHEWAY · 07-05-2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrenny

So to make it easier, lets take me a few months ago. I read a lot on how to diet and what work outs to do but have no idea about any equipment. I went with friends to start but if I didn't have any friends do I just go there and talk to the trainers?

The trainers at my place are annoying to say the least. They have knowledge but the way they come off is more of a salesmen. Give some advice and then try to sell your skills.

i know EXACTLY what you mean.... id watch some of the trainers at my last gym and it was just like that.... its disgusting to me that they can charge so much then act like that....

Kaledonia · 07-05-2007, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTKrav911

Kinda treat it like prison cause it sorta is. It's all territorial at gyms. This is what I'd do.

Find the biggest meanest buffest roid junkie you can find and sucker punch that fool. WHen he realizes he got smacked, grab a dumbell and blast him the the gut with it.

Then go around and stare at everyone and make it look like you're psycho.

You'll be welcomed in with open arms everyday after that!

But for real? Just be consistent. Gym rats like consistency.

Proof that Krav has regular internet access at whatever prison he is currently serving 20 to Life at...

Wrenny · 07-05-2007, 01:48 PM

Thanks Krav. ;D

sitnspin · 07-05-2007, 07:22 PM

Don't worry too much about equipment you're not familiar with. If you're going alone and don't want to talk to strangers, just run on the track or treadmill, and then use dumbells for weight training. Pick 'em up. Curl 'em. Lift 'em over your head. Put 'em down. Or... you can forget about all weights and just get on a mat and do pushups and situps and squats. You can definitely make a lot of progress doing nothing more than that.

Wrenny · 07-05-2007, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitnspin

Don't worry too much about equipment you're not familiar with. If you're going alone and don't want to talk to strangers, just run on the track or treadmill, and then use dumbells for weight training. Pick 'em up. Curl 'em. Lift 'em over your head. Put 'em down. Or... you can forget about all weights and just get on a mat and do pushups and situps and squats. You can definitely make a lot of progress doing nothing more than that.

True but most of that you can do at home. I dunno. I think I'm just asking because I felt too much of a newbie that I never went until my buddy got home from College and showed me the ropes.

Avenue_Brawler · 07-05-2007, 08:44 PM

Simple. Just go. Dont nobody care. If any of the gym rats see you doing anything wrong (I.E. that might inflict bodily harm) they'll give you a hand. Dont be afraid to ask questions just remember to try not to take too much time.

Kurtis636 · 07-06-2007, 01:26 AM

Get yourself a good workout encyclopedia/bodybuilding book. I recommend the Gold's Gym or Schwarzenegger version. That'll give you a good look at proper forms and the different varieties of exercises that can be done with free weights and machines. If you have a question about form don't be afraid to ask someone. For goodness sakes whatever you do, don't try to look cool at the gym. Work with weight you can handle and stick to exercises you feel comfortable doing. Don't be the guy who hurts himself doing squats because you don't know what you're doing and you load up more weight than you can handle.

The main advice that a lot of people forget that Iwould tell someone just starting is to keep a log. Record your workouts so you know what you've done, what weight, etc. Try to step your weight or reps up every week or so for the first month or two. Those first 3 months are when you'll see the most dramatic improvements so you need to continue pushing yourself. Seeing the progress you've made will help motivate you and you'll be able to see if maybe it's time to switch exercises or vary your routine if you stop seeing improvements.

JoeRoganismyhero · 07-06-2007, 03:39 PM

I know the Gold's Gym I go to, everyone is real cool, The regulars(like myself) are all the nicest bunch of guys.

Maybe a little hint if you'd like to start up a conversation, were a local team that you like sports shirt, that's how most of the people I talked to in the gym started up a conversation originally "Oh your a Giants fan, you do you think they'll do this year?" etc...

As far as what to do my workout is:

Biceps, Triceps

Chest

Back, Shoulders

Legs, Forearms

I would switch your routine every 3-4 weeks so your muscles don't get used to doing any one thing, that is how you plateau. I also just like to put my arm on the machine and watch the girls run the treadmills

Best advice, just get in there and do it, you will feel like a million bucks after every workout, I do!

slitz · 07-06-2007, 10:16 PM

yea i agree with everyone saying just go and be consistent

most people would be more than happy to help if you dont act all cocky or somethin, if you see someone doing and exercise you dont know ask them what it works and take some notes how to do it... you'll catch on quick

and just try to have fun